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Family Lines Newsletter, January 8, 2009
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**The Objective**
By David Chadwell

 

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:20-32

 

God’s investment in people who see and respond to what He did in Jesus Christ exceeds comprehension!   No matter how deeply we love our spouses, our children, our country, or our fondest relationships, we will never, never approach God’s selfless investment in us.  We cannot fathom the depth of love God has for people!

 

The question: If we know God has this enormous love for us, how do we demonstrate our appreciation for His incredible love expressed by giving us Jesus Christ?  Answer: we willingly are transformed.

 

How?  We see what we were in sin.  We see what we can be in Christ.  We commit to being the person we can be in Christ.  We adopt and imitate God’s values.

 

If we are deceived, we speak truth because we value people.  We refuse to be ruled by anger.  Instead of exploiting others by stealing, we help those in need.  Our words encourage instead of discourage.  We do not resist God’s influence in our lives.  Instead of being ruled by the negative emotions of ill will, we are kind. God’s kindness shown in His tenderness and forgiveness in Jesus is our supreme example.  As those who benefit from being in Christ, we are committed to “godlikeness” in character and integrity.  That is not what we have to be; it is what we want to be!

 

Those who grasp God’s love in Jesus respond to God’s love in Jesus by committing to transformation.  By being transformed we encourage others to be transformed.

 

Romans 12:1,2  Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Anna Shirley’s surgery on Tuesday (1/6/09) to remove tonsils went well.  She is Paul & Coleen’s granddaughter.
• Andy Cruz requests continued prayers for his sister, Samantha, who is recovering from a stroke, and for he and their family to be strong in this time of need.
• Bill Brazelton is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5407 with an infection.
• Bob Treadway (Kathy Glidewell’s brother) continues in hospice care in their parent’s home. Prayers for strength for the family are needed.
• Chase Turpin has been scheduled for surgery on Tuesday, Jan. 13th at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In addition, he will have two consultations with doctors on the previous day.  Please pray for the procedure to be successful, for Chase’s overall health to be improved, and for safe travel there and back.
• Josh Loewen’s father, David Loewen, will have surgery in Oklahoma City, OK on Friday.
• Ercie Gann is home now after rehab at  Peachtree.
• Kathleen Taranto has moved to Covington Court for rehab and continues to recover from hip surgery.
• Kristal Grounds (Jimmie Cantrell’s granddaughter) is doing really well following surgery on Monday.
• F.E. & Anita Cook request prayers for their dear friend, Norman Brown, who began chemotherapy treatments on Tuesday (1/6/09).
• Niketa Stinchcomb had surgery on Dec. 30th and appreciates prayers for a good recovery.
• Praise! Patty Null was dismissed from the hospital last Friday. She continues to recover at home.
• Rex Lawman (former member) is now at Elmcroft Assisted Living, 9880 Brockington Rd., Room 214, Sherwood, AR 72120. His telephone is 501-834-3882.
• Ron Falcon (friend and colleague of Rick Odell) is in Sparks Hospital, room 441.  His foot shows some improvement, so the decision for additional surgery or amputation is delayed until Friday. 

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Cheryl Craven
• Eulonda Grist (mother of Ed) 
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Joyce Dunavin
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father)
• Nellie Lewis (cousin of Sandy Chavis)
• Margaret Stone
• Sue Grantham (Jennifer Dotson’s sister)
• Willard Lewis (aunt of Sandy Chavis) and her caretaker, Derrylene Miller.

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Please comfort those who have lost loved ones with your words and prayers:
• Diane Arnold, in the unexpected loss of her mother, Christine Bew, on Saturday. Funeral service was Wednesday (1/7/09) at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock, AR.
• Blake & Lisa Broom family (former members) in the recent death of Lisa’s father. Funeral services were January 2 in Mineola, Texas.
• Roy & Joyce Dunavin request prayers for the Jerry Crowley family in the death of their daughter, Laura Hensler, in an automobile accident last Friday night.  Funeral services will be 2 PM, Friday (1/9/09), at Roebuck Chapel in United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th, in Fort Smith.

 

**Prayer Pager**
Patty Null, 441-1734

 

**Welcome, New Member**
Andy Stotts
2101 Joyce Drive
Lavaca, AR 72941
Phone: 674-4376

 

**Jail Ministry Update**
Arlington Davis was baptized on Dec. 30th after studying with Jack Lewis. Thanks to Jack and all our jail ministry workers for their faithful labor.
~~Dan Cathey

 

**West-Ark Ladies’ Retreat **
February 20-21
Lake Point Conference Center
Russellville, AR

 

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**Pray for Our Soldiers**
Praise!  Shawn Curtis (nephew of Wilburn & Louise Howard) and his unit have safely returned home.
Please add Aaron Tomlin (brother of Jeff Tomlin) to this list. He left for Iraq on 1/6/09.
Continue to pray for the safe return of:
• James & Megan Johnson
• Jeremy Grist
• John Clark
• John Lemley
• Lance Hurst
• Michael Priester
• Mitchell Bryant

 

**Pray for Our Missionaries**
Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in  France and Belgium.
Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

 

**Wednesday Night WINGS**
Class resumes on Wednesday, January 14th at 7 PM in the Annex. Our new study is “Embracing Forgiveness.”  If you were not in class on Jan. 7th and wish to get your new book before the first class, please call the church office (452-1240). The cost is $7.00.

 

**Attention JOY Bunch!!**
Please join us at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC on January 17 for fun and fellowship. We will have a special demonstration called “Cooking with Paula Deen.” See you then!

 

**Children’s Worship**
Children’s Worship is cancelled for January 11th.  We want to give everyone the opportunity to be present this Sunday morning when we welcome Rick, Kristi, Jake & Molly Odell to West-Ark!

 

**Notes of Thanks**

 

 

 

 

 

**Financial Peace University**
Class begins Sunday Evening, 5:00 - 7:00 PM in Room 211. Childcare is provided.

 

**Room Swap**
Michael & Jeannie Cole’s parenting class has moved to Room 211.
Bob Fisher & Caruth Alexander’s Amos class has moved to Room 215.

 

**Planning for the Future**
Sunday, January 25 at 4 PM
The elders invite every member of the West-Ark family to gather for a time to share dreams and make plans for ministry in the future. Specific conversations will include plans for building usage, expansion, and other opportunities involving our growing ministries. The elders want to hear your thoughts and ideas. This meeting is open to everyone.  More details will follow in a future bulletin, but please mark the date and time and plan to attend. (Location to be announced later.)

 

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**youth group // news**
 
THE ODELLS ARE HERE!
Sunday, January 11
This Sunday will be the Odell’s first day here. Please make sure you take time to welcome Rick, Kristi, Jake and Molly to the West-Ark family.

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLASSES
Beginning on Wednesday, January 14, the Junior and Senior High will have a combined class in the youth room with youth minister Rick Odell!

 

WINTERFEST!
Friday, January 16 – Sunday, January 18
If you have lost your information sheet (or turned it in) there are more copies available on the youth table.  It tells you what you need to know. 
We will be leaving the church at 2:00 p.m. on that Friday, so please make arrangements to be there on time!
Remember to bring extra money, enough for 6 meals. Don’t forget your sleeping bag, pillow and a towel.

 

CHURCH-WIDE LADIES’ RETREAT
Friday, February 20-21
Lake Point Conference Center, Russellville, AR

 

**Library Memorials**
From Gary Brown Family in memory of Jeremy Harper:
• You Can Do It by Dungy

 

From Gary Brown Family in memory of Neil Webb:
• God’s Amazing Book by Ruckman

 

**Happy Birthday**

 

January 11
Nancy James

 

January 12
Sam Lively
Tyler Robbins

 

January 13
Reynda Allen
Florence Cotner

 

January 15
Seth Dunavant
Sandra Pearson

 

January 16
Jay Arnold
Arista Lindgren

 

January 17
Ollie Amos

 

**Morning Nursery**
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson

 

**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..384    
Sunday AM Worship.………577
Sunday PM Worship……….225
Contribution……….…...$20,157
Children’s Homes…..…….$219
Wednesday Classes………..NC

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………………..38
Contribution…………….....$167

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance……………….…..54
Contribution……………….$171